🤑 Money Moves: Start Investing While In College

Hey Wicked Club fam,

Happy (almost) Thanksgiving! 🦃🍁 This past weekend, our team headed to NYU to host our very first workshop: “How to Get Started With Credit Cards as Young Adults.” And let me tell you—it was an absolute blast! 🎉

The afternoon was packed with financial tips, games and prizes, fun vibes, delicious momo, and adorable Polaroid moments. 🥟📸 If you’d like to bring these vibes to your campus or club, let’s make it happen—reach out, and let’s collab! ✊

On that note, we have some fun topics to talk about today, let’s dive right in!

🗒️ This week’s rundown:

• Money Moves: Start Investing While In College

• Limited Time Deal: Amazon Prime Visa's $200 Welcome Bonus

🤑 Money Moves: Start Investing While In College

If your TikToks and IG reels are hyped about the stock market’s post-election rally, you’re not alone. Bitcoin just hit $99,000, and the stock market is surging on optimism around corporate tax cuts and deregulation—boosts that could fuel profits for years. And for new and young investors, there’s been no better time to start.

Here’s the key: if you’re in college, your biggest advantage when it comes to investing is time. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to grow and work for you. And you don’t need a lot to get started—just invest small amounts consistently. As your finances grow, you can invest more. The real magic happens with compound interest, which works best when you give it time to build.

But I wanna be hyper-clear:

Investing is NOT about getting rich quick. 🙅 

It’s about playing the long game and building wealth steadily over time. If someone promises you overnight riches, do yourself a favor and walk away.🚶(Why isn’t this emoji actually walking away?! 😂) That’s not how real wealth works. Now before you throw your lunch money at Bitcoin or the next "hot stock," let’s break it all down.

🦺 First Things First: Build a Safety Net

Before investing a dime, set up an emergency fund. Life happens. Ideally, aim for 3–6 months’ worth of living expenses. Keep this in a high-yield savings account so it’s accessible but still earning you a little extra.

🤓 Investing 101: The Basics You Need to Know

Investing might sound complicated, but it’s just a fancy way of saying, "Let your money work for you." Here are some terms and types of investments to get you started:

1. Stocks: You’re buying a tiny piece of a company. If the company does well, your stock grows in value. Think Apple, Tesla, or Amazon 📦️ 

2. Bonds: These are like IOUs. You loan money to a company or government, and they pay you back with interest. Safe but slower growth. 🏦

3. Index Funds/ETFs: These are bundles of stocks or bonds you can buy all at once. They spread your risk and are proven winners over time. (hello, S&P 500!)

4. Cryptocurrency: Cryptos like Bitcoin and Ethereum come with a high beta, meaning their prices can swing more dramatically than traditional investments, making them riskier. For most people, it’s wise to keep 1-5% of your portfolio in crypto—only invest what you’re willing to lose. 🚀💥

5. Real Estate Crowdfunding: You don’t need millions to invest in real estate anymore. Platforms like Fundrise let you invest in properties for as little as $10.

👵 Retirement Accounts

Once you start working and earning a steady income, these retirement accounts become essential for long-term wealth-building. Here’s what you need to know:

401(k)s: f you’re working at a company that offers this benefit, a 401(k) is an employer-sponsored retirement account. You contribute a portion of your pre-tax income, which means you pay less in taxes now. The cool part? Some employers match your contributions, meaning "free money" toward your retirement! 💼💸

Roth IRAs: A Roth IRA is a personal retirement account where you contribute after-tax money, meaning you don’t get a tax break upfront. However, when you withdraw in retirement, you won’t owe any taxes on the gains. It’s perfect if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket later in life. This option has income limits, so it's ideal for young adults who are starting to earn and want to set themselves up for a tax-free retirement. 📅💰

And remember, diversification is key. Never put all your money in one stock or sector. Spread your investments across different asset classes to minimize risk.

💡 Practical Investment Strategies

1. Use Tech 📱:

   • Platforms like Alinea and Acorns do a great job helping young people get started with investing, they’re super user-friendly and easy to start.

   • Other popular investment platforms are Robinhood, Fidelity Investments, Sofi, Charles Schwab, etc. (that I personally use)

   • Many apps (Acorns) allow micro-investing, rounding up purchases, and investing the difference

2. Learn Continuously (this never ends) 📖 :

   1. Some of my book recommendations:

      • "The Intelligent Investor" by Benjamin Graham – A classic that dives deep into value investing, a great foundational book.

      • "Rich Dad Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki – Provides a straightforward approach to understanding money, investing, and building wealth.

      • "The Simple Path to Wealth" by JL Collins – Perfect for beginners, this book breaks down investing basics and how to grow wealth over time.

   2. Podcasts & YouTube Channels 🎧:

      • "The Dave Ramsey Show" – Practical advice on money management, investing, and getting out of debt.

      • "Invest Like the Best" – In-depth interviews with top investors that cover a variety of topics and strategies.

      • Graham Stephan – A personal finance and investing YouTuber who explains concepts simply.

      • The Plain Bagel – Provides easy-to-follow videos on investing principles, finance news, and market trends.

3. Risk Tolerance ⚖️:

   • As a young investor, you can afford more risk

   • Typically, a portfolio weighted more heavily toward stocks makes sense

   • Gradually shift to more conservative investments as you approach major financial goals

📝 Simple Rules to Follow

1. Start Small, Start Now: Investing isn’t just for millionaires. Apps like Robinhood, Acorns, or Stash let you begin with as little as $5.

2. Think Long-Term: Forget about overnight riches. The best investments grow over years, even decades. Let time (and compound interest) do the work for you.

3. Diversify Your Portfolio: Don’t put all your money into one stock or asset. Spread it out across different types of investments to reduce risk.

4. Stay Cool During Market Swings: The market goes up and down—it’s normal. Don’t panic and sell the moment your stock dips. Stay the course, and trust the process.

Investing is a journey. Be patient, stay informed, and focus on long-term growth. 🚀🌱

🎁 Limited Time Deal: Amazon Prime Visa's $200 Welcome Bonus

With the holidays approaching and Black Friday deals rolling in, Amazon is sweetening the deal for new Prime Visa cardholders. They’re offering an instant $200 Amazon Gift Card upon approval, with no spending required—just in time for holiday savings. If you’re an Amazon regular, this card could be your new favorite tool for maximizing rewards. Here’s everything you need to know.

Why the Prime Visa Card Shines

The Amazon Prime Visa is built for frequent Amazon shoppers, packing benefits like cashback, flexibility, and travel perks:

1. High Rewards Rate: Earn 5% back on Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and Chase Travel purchases—perfect for frequent shoppers. 🛒

2. Bonus Cashback Categories: Get 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and local transit (including rideshare), and 1% back on all other purchases. 🚗🍴

3. No Annual Fee: While the card itself has no annual fee, it does require an active Amazon Prime membership ($14.99/month or $139/year) to unlock the full 5% cashback benefit.

4. Instant Rewards: The $200 Amazon Gift Card is awarded upon approval with no spending required, making it ideal for Black Friday and holiday savings. 🎁

5. Flexible Redemptions: Use rewards for Amazon purchases, cash back, travel through Chase, or gift cards—redeem as soon as the next day.

6. Rotating Exclusive Offers: Enjoy up to 10% back on select products or categories on Amazon with Prime cardholder-exclusive deals. 🔄

7. No Foreign Transaction Fees: Shop internationally without incurring additional fees—a travel-friendly perk. ✈️

8. Travel Protections: Features like auto rental collision damage waiver and baggage delay insurance provide peace of mind on trips.

Who Should Get the Prime Visa Card?

This card is ideal for:

• Amazon Enthusiasts: The 5% cashback on Amazon purchases is a standout feature, especially if you shop there regularly.

• Amazon Prime Members: If you already pay for Amazon Prime, this card helps you maximize your membership benefits.

Feel free to apply for the Amazon Prime Visa card using my link below!

However, if you’re not a frequent Amazon shopper or Prime member, other cashback or travel cards may offer better rewards for your spending habits.

Bottom Line: If you already pay for Prime, this card enhances its value, making it easier to save during big sales events. But, as always, prioritize responsible spending and enjoy the rewards without sacrificing your financial health.

Happy shopping! 🎉

👀 Psst... the real party's happening on our Instagram! Slide over there for fresh content you won't want to miss!

🚀 Action Items for Wicked Club Fam

🔍 Got questions? We've got answers! Don't hesitate to reach out if you have anything on your mind about the app.

⬇️ Want to optimize your credit card rewards? Download our app to start maximizing your rewards today!

🚀 Been a tester of our Wicked Pay app? We value your early insights. Share your thoughts through our survey form here.

📰 New to the crew? Subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest updates, and spread the word to your friends!

💬 Connect with fellow credit card enthusiasts? Join our Discord server for the beta testers and other credit card enthusiasts here.

✨Want to see behind the scenes of how we’re building Wicked Pay? Follow our CEO Pooja on Instagram at @poojabuilds.